Environmental Studies

The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), established by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1970, is within the Executive Office of the President (EOP). CEQ consults and coordinates with federal agencies, providing guidance on the implementation of NEPA to ensure timely environmental review and permitting processes across the Federal government. In addition, CEQ advises and assists the President on policies that promote the improvement of environmental quality, while supporting the economic prosperity and energy security of the American people.

FedCenter is the Federal government's home for comprehensive environmental stewardship and compliance assistance information for Federal facility managers and their agencies.

Congress enacted the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in 1969 and President Nixon signed it into law on January 1, 1970. Congress enacted NEPA to establish a national policy for the environment, provide for the establishment of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), and for other purposes. NEPA was the first major environmental law in the United States and is often called the "Magna Carta" of Federal environmental laws. NEPA requires Federal agencies to assess the environmental effects of proposed major Federal actions prior to making decisions.

Part of the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a U.S. government agency that studies and reports on the ocean, atmosphere, and coastal regions. NOAA's mission is to understand and predict changes in weather, climate, and the ocean.

Climate Data Online (CDO) provides free access to NCDC's archive of global historical weather and climate data in addition to station history information. These data include quality controlled daily, monthly, seasonal, and yearly measurements of temperature, precipitation, wind, and degree days as well as radar data and 30-year Climate Normals.

NCEI provides environmental data, products, and services covering the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun to drive resilience, prosperity, and equity for current and future generations.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is made up of 29 agencies and offices with nearly 100,000 employees who serve the American people at more than 4,500 locations across the country and abroad. It provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and related issues based on public policy, the best available science, and effective management.

As the USDA’s primary private lands conservation agency, we generate, manage, and share the data, technology, and standards that enable partners and policymakers to make decisions informed by objective, reliable science. And through one-on-one, personalized advice, we work voluntarily with producers and communities to find the best solutions to meet their unique conservation and business goals. By doing so, we help ensure the long-term sustainability of American agriculture. We’re also focused on the American farmer, especially those underserved by our programs as well as those trying to break into new markets, like organics.

Since 2008, USDA established the Office of Environmental Markets, supported market development across the country through development of tools and analysis of market barriers. The office of Environmental Markets also works closely with other USDA agencies such as The Natural Resources Conservation Service and Economic Research Service on market-related activities.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is an executive branch agency responsible for overseeing national energy policy and managing the country's nuclear infrastructure, promoting energy efficiency, and funding scientific research in the field.

The EPA, or Environmental Protection Agency, is a United States federal agency established in 1970 to protect human health and the environment by setting and enforcing environmental regulations. The EPA's core mission is to protect human health and the environment, ensuring that all Americans are protected from significant risks to their health and the environment.

Explore the USGS's Earth-and biological science programs and learn about our people, partners, and products.